Runway Report from Cork Fashion Week
I was delighted to be asked to sit on the judging panel for what was the sell out 'Fashion @ Christchurch' designer showcase event on the second day of Cork Fashion Week. The audience at the historic church / city hall venue were treated to two shows. The first show 'Boutique' showcased new season collections from independent owned boutiques in the city and county - which was really lovely but mostly blew me away on the vintage stakes....Cork is a bit of a vintage haven! The CFW Designer of the Year show followed with two categories: 'Newcomer of the Year' and the highly coveted Designer of the Year award. Graduate and student designers battled it out showcasing really interesting collections but it was the collection inspired by the Florence & the Machine song 'Cosmic Love' and created by primary school teacher Grainne O'Connor (catwalk shot below) that won Newcomer of the Year Award.
All catwalk shots by Sachin Vijayan Photography.
'Designer of the Year' came next and although it was a really wonderful display from all the designers, the winner, for me at least, did ultimately stand out from the rest. 'Designer of the Year' was awarded to Alice Halliday for her magnificant 'Tea with Tamara' collection. Ultimately, it was Alice's creative flair, her extreme attention to detail and the quality of her work that sealed the deal. Also, her collection 'came together' very well and for me personally had just the right balance of 'old world' elegance and contemporary design to win me over.
Alice, based in Skibbereen, studied at the University for the Creative Arts in Epsom, England. Her winning collection was inspired by the Ballets Russes costumes of ballerina, Tamara Karsavina. The collection included elaborate crystal and feather embellishments with silhouettes, in both organic and geometric shapes. Drawing both colour palette and concept from the old tea-stained looking photos of Tamara. As a strong believer in ethical fashion, Alice uses a majority of recycled materials. Table cloths, doilies and chandelier crystals are combined with upholstery trimmings, intricate hand stitching and delicate bead work.
I felt I couldnt take my eyes off her collection as it sashayed past me on the runway and I was really left wanting to see even more!
Port Laois based Irish Designer, the very lovely Heidi Higgins (catwalk shot below), showcased her current collection during our deliberations, as did previous CFW Designer of the year winners Belinda Sullivan and Aidan Sheehan, (who had just jetted in from London to showcase at the event).
Also worth noting is that modelling in the shows, was Vogue approved, Irish model Jennifer Foley, who was just home from walking at London Fashion Week for brands including the new collection for Danni Minogue. Pictured below walking for Shinto Benedict.
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